GAPPS profile images

YRDSB does not tolerate any forms of hate or discrimination. In the last school year, it came to the Board’s attention that YRDSB Google Apps (GAPPS) profile pictures were being used to spread online hate through racist imagery shared and uploaded to GAPPS accounts. These images cause pain and can make other students and staff members feel unsafe, marginalized and unwelcome in our learning environments. 

Appropriate actions were taken to address this issue, including a mandatory learning series for all students, mandatory training for all YRDSB staff, and temporarily removing access to customizing profile images. YRDSB will be continuing to implement measures that support student safety over the course of this school year.  These measures include providing teachers with ongoing access to resources and support for addressing issues of hate.

Between March 28-31, 2022, students will have opportunities to customize their profile pictures within parameters established by the YRDSB.  This will enable students to express or represent themselves in their profile images, while prioritizing safe and inclusive learning and working environments for all of our students and staff. 
 

What does this mean for my child?

• Students will have an opportunity in March 2022 to select a customized profile picture that meets YRDSB guidelines.

• Students will receive guidelines and considerations based on their grade level to support them in selecting and/or creating an appropriate profile picture.

• This is optional. Students who do not select an image will continue to have their first initial as their GAPPS profile image. 

• In future years, students will have two opportunities each year, during the fall and again in the spring, to change their images.

Students are also encouraged to report problematic images that perpetuate hate or cause harm by speaking with a caring adult or by making use of the YRDSB’s ReportIT tool.

Student Guidelines for Profile Pictures Examples

Choices of Image	Photo of self (e.g. posed, selfie, etc.)	Drawing or silhouette of self (e.g. hand drawn or digital picture)	Name or illustration of name (e.g. phonetic pronunciation of name)	Initial of your first name
Image example

What is the YRDSB Google Apps (GAPPS) profile?

Each student has the ability to add a customized profile image to their Google Apps profile. That image will be seen by classmates and teachers on applications such as Google Meet, Google Classroom and Google Docs. 

If a student does not have a profile image, a coloured circle with the letter of your child’s first name will be seen as this is the default setting. 

Example Student Profile Image in Google Drive and Google Docs:

Example Student Profile in Google Meet:​

What does my child and their teacher see for their GAPPS profile?

Currently, all YRDSB students are not able to upload custom images to their YRDSB Google accounts. As a result, your child’s profile image will be represented by an icon with their first initial. This is the default setting in all Google accounts. To help to differentiate your child from others in the class, teachers will still see your child’s full name in the various Google environments (eg. Google Meet, Google classroom).